ERIC Number: EJ683686
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Jan-1
Pages: 13
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0735-6331
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Effects of Cad-Like Software on the Spatial Ability of Middle School Students
Shavalier, Maria
Journal of Educational Computing Research, v31 n1 p37-49 Jan 2004
This study investigated whether the software Virtus WalkThrough Pro could be used to enhance middle school children's spatial ability as measured by the Paper Folding, Mental Rotations, and Eliot-Price Tests. The study also investigated whether the use of this software impacted males differently than females, or users with high spatial ability differently than those with low. A pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design was utilized. The sample group consisted of 116 students, 55 in the experimental group and 61 in the control group. Both groups were given the three measures as pretests and posttests. The investigator worked with the experimental group for 50 minutes a week for 11 weeks. Analysis of covariance determined that there were no significant gains on any measures. No significant differential treatment effects were found with respect to gender or spatial ability levels. However, males significantly outperformed females on the Eliot-Price Test.
Descriptors: Statistical Analysis, Experimental Groups, Gender Differences, Computer Software, Quasiexperimental Design, Control Groups, Spatial Ability, Middle School Students, Pretests Posttests, Instructional Effectiveness
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Numerical/Quantitative Data; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Grade 4; Grade 5; Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A